One of the hottest new shows on Netflix is Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. It’s certainly inspiring folks to take a hard look at on It’s no secret that I believe clutter is one of the barriers between your life as it is and the kind of life you desire to create. That’s because clutter of any sort – be it calendar, physical, mental, or spiritual – will distract you from not just actively pursuing the kind of life you deeply desire, but your ability to find pleasure in even the tiniest moments of any ordinary day. We have so much physical stuff, especially, it’s no wonder we seek ways to begin dealing with clutter.
I say this because I know from experience that all of that my clutter helped keep me stuck and prevented me from being fully engaged in my own life.
The physical clutter, specifically, meant that walking into my house was rarely a joyful experience.
Although I would love to tell you that all the clutter was because of my partner or the kids, that not all of it was mine, that would be a lie. I was the cause of a good portion of that clutter. The piles of papers and stacks of books were mine. The clothes crammed in the closet and shoes scattered on the floor? Mine.
And when it came to my children’s things, though they scattered them about? I was the person who purchased all those toys and clothes for them.
From the time I was a small child, shoving stuff under the bed was my solution to tidying up. And I’ve stopped counting the number of times I came home from school to discover my mother saw the need to “tackle my room” so it would really be neat and tidy.
What I’ve made peace with is the fact that I always have – and likely always will – struggle with keeping my physical spaces organized.
Yet, I have learned that I cannot think if my home is disorganized. So, since being tidy doesn’t come naturally to me, having a clean desk and clutter-free living room is a victory. I function at my best when my surroundings are neat, clean and organized.
My darling, each and every day can be a challenge to keep even a modicum of order around here. And during those most challenging times, when the piles once again get out of control, I feel frustrated at myself and shamed for others, even JB, to see how “messy” I am.
Over the years, I’ve developed a variety of tricks and systems for dealing with clutter.
If you’ve read anything on managing clutter lately, you’ve probably come across “The Kondo Method” based on Marie Kondo’s runaway bestseller, The Magic Art of Tidying Up. It has some great tips for an orderly home, like only keeping items that “spark joy” and a crazy fantastic way to fold clothes.
In many ways, though, the Kondo Method works best for those who are more naturally organized and are challenged by too many belongings or have an emotional attachments to heirlooms and their children’s things. For someone who doesn’t possess that ‘organization gene,’ to completely declutter an entire house without stopping can feel overwhelming.
But, that doesn’t mean there aren’t some jewels in Marie Kondo’s book (and show) that I loved and connected with:
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- Be Methodical. Choose one type of thing to declutter or one room to whip into shape. If you feel overwhelmed on “organizing it all,” choosing a small focus can help.
- You Can’t Organize Clutter. If your closet and drawers are crammed, you have to ditch some of the clothes in there. Same goes for linens, dishes, books, and more.
- Keep Only Things That Spark Joy. When I moved from Texas to Ohio, my mantra as I packed was: do I love this enough to (a) pay to move it or (b) pay to put it in storage? Not much passed that inquiry.
- Every Item Needs a Place. Without having a place for everything, you will always fight staying organized.
And now, for some tips on dealing with clutter that aren’t part of the Marie Kondo Method of Tidying Up:
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- Set a Goal Date with Associated Reward. Without deadlines, many of us can’t get things finished. So, set a goal date of clearing one area or type of clutter – say like your closet – and an associated reward. Write it down in positive terms. For example: “When I declutter and clean my closet before Thanksgiving, I am going to reward myself with meeting my girlfriend Sally for a pedicure.”
- Be Kind to Yourself. If you let guilt play a part in the de-cluttering process, you’ll feel stressed and overwhelmed. Sure, you bought things you didn’t need or love. Yes, you kept things you should have ditched ages ago.
- Set A Non-Negotiable Standard for De-cluttering. Like we need standards for our life, you may need it to get your clutter under control. Maybe you set a standard to remove one item from your home you don’t love a day or clean one drawer each week.
- Apply Compassionate Discipline. De-cluttering brings up all kinds of crappy feelings. Yes, I already mentioned kindness and stress and guilt. And those feelings are enough to halt many of us mid-step. So, yes, apply compassion to yourself but be disciplined about your goals.
- Make It a Game. I dislike unloading the dishwasher, so I race the brewing of the coffee pot each morning. Sometimes, I set a timer and clear out a drawer or closet before it goes off.
- Create a Drop Zone & Launch Pad. It’s easy to walk into the house at the end of the day and dump your purse, briefcase, jacket, and travel mug on any available flat surface. To remedy this, have a drop zone for incoming items, like mail and only drop the mail in that spot. Same goes with needing a drop zone for each family member, where each person drops their things as they come in the house. This spot doubles as a launch pad for quick morning getaways, meaning no more searching for keys.
- Set a Goal Date with Associated Reward. Without deadlines, many of us can’t get things finished. So, set a goal date of clearing one area or type of clutter – say like your closet – and an associated reward. Write it down in positive terms. For example: “When I declutter and clean my closet before Thanksgiving, I am going to reward myself with meeting my girlfriend Sally for a pedicure.”
Let’s face it, being organized isn’t a natural state for everyone.
And unlike that Ultimate Organizer, Mary Poppins, most of us don’t count a magic carpetbag among our tools. But like Mary’s spoonful of sugar, and Kondo’s suggestions are the ‘spoonful of sugar’ that makes the ‘medicine’ of de-cluttering go down a bit easier.
I know that if I can do it, so can you. Because after years of under-the-bed boxes, there’s nothing under any of the beds in my house now. That’s a statement I never could have made even five years ago.
We’ve all seen the meme which reads, “a clean desk is the sign of a sick mind,” but, darling, let’s get some perspective. The reality is this: A clean desk (or house or whatever) is the sign of a productive, stress-free mind.
And as ever a reminder to myself and you: less stress = happier living. And happier living allows you to pursue your dreams.
Are you ready to tidy up and begin dealing with clutter?
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that you cannot welcome new things into your life if you don’t release some of the old stuff. You need to begin to purge things from your life.
Join me for 30 Days to Clarity: Clutter Busting Edition
2024 Course Dates:
- Before the Holidays: Beginning Sunday, October 20, 2024
Course Investment: $21.
>>Purchase Clutter Busting Edition by Clicking Here<<
(Note: As of 2018, this course is lifetime access. That means, you’re IN at no additional cost anytime the class runs.)
